EP0293664A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
A universal battery charging system and method
Assignee: POWER-TECH SYSTEMS Corp
•
Filing: 1988-05-17
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2008-05-17
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to a battery charging system for charging a battery (54). The system includes means (56,58,62) for determining the state of charge of the battery (54) during charging, means (38,42) for supplying current to the battery (54), means (30) for controlling the current supply means (38,42). Said control means (30) are responsive to the state of charge determining means (56,58,62) at plural times during charging and controlling said supplying means (38,42) to follow a charging schedule responsive to current supplied to the battery (54), voltage of the battery (54) and time.
Inventors
- 👤 Philip D. Hutchings
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 18:37
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02J; H02J7/00; H02J7/60; H02J7/685; H02J7/485; H02J7/90; H02J7/96; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S320/00; Y10S320/12; Y10S320/18; Y10S320/19; Y10S320/29
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
313 words
A battery charger, characterized by a source of alternating current; a microprocessor (30); a watchdog timer circuit (34) to reset said microprocessor (30) upon the failure of said microprocessor (30) to provide a predetermined signal within a predetermined interval of time; a zero crossing detector (46) for providing a signal to said microprocessor (30) whenever the voltage of said alternating current is approximately zero; power distribution means (38, 42) controlled by said microprocessor (30) to supply a desired proportion of said alternating current to the terminals (52b, 52c) of a battery (54) being charged said power distribution means (38, 42) including an interlock signal to prevent the supply of said current to the terminals (52b, 52c) until specified by said microprocessor (30); battery connection sensing means (106) to provide to said microprocessor (30) a signal indicative of the attachment of the terminals (52b, 52c) of the battery (54) to the battery charger (10); a current sensing circuit (58) to provide an analog signal responsively to the amount of alternating current being provided to the terminals (52b, 52c) of the battery (54); a voltage sensing circuit (56) to provide an analog signal responsively to the amount of voltage potential across the terminals (52b, 52c) of the battery (54); a temperature sensing circuit (62) to provide an analog signal responsively to a temperature; analog switch means (60) having plural input terminals, operatively connected to the analog signals provided by the current sensing circuit (58), voltage sensing circuit (56) and temperature sensing circuit (62) and being controlled by said microprocessor (30) to provide an output analog signal responsively to the analog signal appearing at a selected one of the input terminals; and an analog to digital converter (64) operatively connected to the output analog signal of the analog switch means (60) and providing to the microprocessor (30) a digital signal responsively to the output analog signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
313 words
A battery charger, characterized by a source of alternating current; a microprocessor (30); a watchdog timer circuit (34) to reset said microprocessor (30) upon the failure of said microprocessor (30) to provide a predetermined signal within a predetermined interval of time; a zero crossing detector (46) for providing a signal to said microprocessor (30) whenever the voltage of said alternating current is approximately zero; power distribution means (38, 42) controlled by said microprocessor (30) to supply a desired proportion of said alternating current to the terminals (52b, 52c) of a battery (54) being charged said power distribution means (38, 42) including an interlock signal to prevent the supply of said current to the terminals (52b, 52c) until specified by said microprocessor (30); battery connection sensing means (106) to provide to said microprocessor (30) a signal indicative of the attachment of the terminals (52b, 52c) of the battery (54) to the battery charger (10); a current sensing circuit (58) to provide an analog signal responsively to the amount of alternating current being provided to the terminals (52b, 52c) of the battery (54); a voltage sensing circuit (56) to provide an analog signal responsively to the amount of voltage potential across the terminals (52b, 52c) of the battery (54); a temperature sensing circuit (62) to provide an analog signal responsively to a temperature; analog switch means (60) having plural input terminals, operatively connected to the analog signals provided by the current sensing circuit (58), voltage sensing circuit (56) and temperature sensing circuit (62) and being controlled by said microprocessor (30) to provide an output analog signal responsively to the analog signal appearing at a selected one of the input terminals; and an analog to digital converter (64) operatively connected to the output analog signal of the analog switch means (60) and providing to the microprocessor (30) a digital signal responsively to the output analog signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The battery charger of claim 1, characterized in that said desired portion of said alternating current is provided to the battery terminals (52b, 52c) by a switch means (50a, 50b) operated by said microprocessor (30).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The battery charger of claim 2, characterized in that said switch means (50a, 50b) are operated by said microprocessor (30) in timed relation to the signal provided by said zero crossing detector (46).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The battery charger of any one of the preceding claims, characterized by readily removable memory means (32) operatively connected to said microprocessor (30) to provide signals indicative of the desired charge characteristics of the type of battery (54) being charged.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
122 words
In a battery charger comprising a microprocessor (30), power distribution circuit (38, 42) controlled by said microprocessor (30), and plural removable microprocessor memories (32), each memory (32) containing signals representing the charging characteristics of one or more types of batteries (54), a method of charging plural batteries (54) of at least two different types, being characterized by: (a) electrically connecting the battery charger (10) in turn to each of the batteries (54) to be charged; (b) electrically connecting to the microprocessor (30) in turn the one of the removable memories (32) which contains the signals representing the charging characteristics of the type of the connected battery (54); (c) charging in turn the connected battery (54) under the control of said microprocessor (30).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
122 words
In a battery charger comprising a microprocessor (30), power distribution circuit (38, 42) controlled by said microprocessor (30), and plural removable microprocessor memories (32), each memory (32) containing signals representing the charging characteristics of one or more types of batteries (54), a method of charging plural batteries (54) of at least two different types, being characterized by: (a) electrically connecting the battery charger (10) in turn to each of the batteries (54) to be charged; (b) electrically connecting to the microprocessor (30) in turn the one of the removable memories (32) which contains the signals representing the charging characteristics of the type of the connected battery (54); (c) charging in turn the connected battery (54) under the control of said microprocessor (30).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
93 words
A battery charging system, characterized by: a battery (54); means (56, 58, 62) for determining the state of charge of the battery (54) during charging; means (38, 42) for supplying current to the battery (54); means (30) for controlling the current supply means (38, 42), said control means (30) being responsive to the state of charge determining means (56, 58, 62) at plural times during charging and controlling said supplying means (38, 42) to follow a charging schedule responsive to current supplied to the battery (54), voltage of the battery (54) and time.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
93 words
A battery charging system, characterized by: a battery (54); means (56, 58, 62) for determining the state of charge of the battery (54) during charging; means (38, 42) for supplying current to the battery (54); means (30) for controlling the current supply means (38, 42), said control means (30) being responsive to the state of charge determining means (56, 58, 62) at plural times during charging and controlling said supplying means (38, 42) to follow a charging schedule responsive to current supplied to the battery (54), voltage of the battery (54) and time.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
58 words
The battery charging system of claim 6, characterized in that a portion (40a, 40b) of said control means (38, 42) is readily replaceable with another similar portion (40a, 40b) of said control means (38, 42) to follow a second charging schedule so that different types of batteries (54) may be recharged by merely replacing said portion (40a, 40b).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
69 words
A battery charging system, characterized by: a battery (54); means (38, 42) for supplying current to the battery (54); means (58) for determining the current being supplied to the battery; means (56) for determining the voltage across the battery; and means (30) for controlling the current supply means (38, 42), said control means (30) being responsive to said current determining means (58) and to said voltage determining means (56).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
69 words
A battery charging system, characterized by: a battery (54); means (38, 42) for supplying current to the battery (54); means (58) for determining the current being supplied to the battery; means (56) for determining the voltage across the battery; and means (30) for controlling the current supply means (38, 42), said control means (30) being responsive to said current determining means (58) and to said voltage determining means (56).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
109 words
In a battery charging system comprising a battery (54) having a maximum voltage and a means (38, 42) for supplying current to the battery (54), a method of charging a battery (54), being characterized by the steps of: electrically connecting said battery (56) to said current supply means (38, 42); gradually increasing the current supplied to the battery (54) to a predetermined current check point or until a predetermined time point whichever occurs earlier; measuring the voltage across the battery (54) when the current is at said current check point to provide a voltage test reading; operating said current supply means (38, 42) responsively to said voltage test reading.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
109 words
In a battery charging system comprising a battery (54) having a maximum voltage and a means (38, 42) for supplying current to the battery (54), a method of charging a battery (54), being characterized by the steps of: electrically connecting said battery (56) to said current supply means (38, 42); gradually increasing the current supplied to the battery (54) to a predetermined current check point or until a predetermined time point whichever occurs earlier; measuring the voltage across the battery (54) when the current is at said current check point to provide a voltage test reading; operating said current supply means (38, 42) responsively to said voltage test reading.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 9, characterized in that said step of operating said current supply means (38, 42) comprises applying Voltage V₁ to the battery (54) until the battery current reaches said predetermined current check point unless said predetermined time point occurs earlier.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 9, characterized in that said steps of operating said current supply means (38, 42) comprises applying a first predetermined constant current to the battery (54) until the voltage test reading exceeds a predetermined voltage check point.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
81 words
The method of claims 10 or 11, characterized in that said step of operating said current supply means (38, 42) further comprises the steps of: applying a second predetermined constant current for a first period of time; measuring the voltage across the battery (54) to provide a second voltage test reading; if the second voltage test reading is less than or equal to the first predetermined level, applying a third predetermined constant current until the voltage reaches said second predetermined level.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 12,characterized in that said step of operating said current supply means (38, 42) further comprises: applying a constant voltage at a third predetermined level for a duration of time related to the duration of time utilized to charge the battery (54) to said third predetermined level.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
58 words
A method of determining the degree of sulfation of a battery, characterized by the steps of: (a) supplying current to the battery (54) in a gradually increasing manner; and (b) measuring the voltage across the battery (54) at the earlier of the passage of a predetermined duration of time or the attainment of a predetermined level of current.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
58 words
A method of determining the degree of sulfation of a battery, characterized by the steps of: (a) supplying current to the battery (54) in a gradually increasing manner; and (b) measuring the voltage across the battery (54) at the earlier of the passage of a predetermined duration of time or the attainment of a predetermined level of current.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
89 words
A method of charging relatively recently sulfated batteries, characterized by the steps of: (a) applying a constant voltage across the terminals (52b, 52c) of a battery (54) as long as a charging current remains below a first predetermined current level; (b) varying the voltage supplied to a charging circuit to provide a constant, predetermined, charging current; (c) measuring the voltage across the battery (54) after a predetermined period of time; and (d) providing a second predetermined charging current if the measured voltage is less than a predetermined voltage level.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
89 words
A method of charging relatively recently sulfated batteries, characterized by the steps of: (a) applying a constant voltage across the terminals (52b, 52c) of a battery (54) as long as a charging current remains below a first predetermined current level; (b) varying the voltage supplied to a charging circuit to provide a constant, predetermined, charging current; (c) measuring the voltage across the battery (54) after a predetermined period of time; and (d) providing a second predetermined charging current if the measured voltage is less than a predetermined voltage level.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
82 words
A method of charging batteries, characterized by the steps of: (a) applying a constant predetermined current to the battery (54) until the voltage across the bat tery (54) reaches a first predetermined level; (b) varying the voltage supplied to a charging circuit to provide a constant, predetermined, charging current; (c) measuring the voltage across the battery (54) after a predetermined period of time; and (d) providing a second predetermined charging current if the measured voltage is less than a predetermined voltage level.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
82 words
A method of charging batteries, characterized by the steps of: (a) applying a constant predetermined current to the battery (54) until the voltage across the bat tery (54) reaches a first predetermined level; (b) varying the voltage supplied to a charging circuit to provide a constant, predetermined, charging current; (c) measuring the voltage across the battery (54) after a predetermined period of time; and (d) providing a second predetermined charging current if the measured voltage is less than a predetermined voltage level.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
87 words
A battery charging circuit, characterized by: a source of alternating current; a microprocessor (30); a power distribution circuit (38, 42) powered by said alternating current source and controlled by said microprocessor (30) to provide a desired amount of current to a battery (54) to be charged; a phase detection means (30) to determine the phase of the alternating current; and a microprocessor memory means (32) operating said microprocessor (30) so that the desired amount of current is provided with reference to the phase of the alternating current.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
87 words
A battery charging circuit, characterized by: a source of alternating current; a microprocessor (30); a power distribution circuit (38, 42) powered by said alternating current source and controlled by said microprocessor (30) to provide a desired amount of current to a battery (54) to be charged; a phase detection means (30) to determine the phase of the alternating current; and a microprocessor memory means (32) operating said microprocessor (30) so that the desired amount of current is provided with reference to the phase of the alternating current.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
The battery charger circuit of claim 17, characterized in that said microprocessor memory means (32) is readily replaceable by a similar memory means.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of charging one of two types of batteries, characterized by the steps of: (a) measuring the open-circuit voltage of a battery (54) to be charged to determine the battery type; (b) automatically supplying a first predetermined charging current within a first predetermined charging voltage limit if the battery (54) is a first type; and (c) automatically supplying a second predetermined charging current within a second predetermined voltage limit if the battery (54) is a second type.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of charging one of two types of batteries, characterized by the steps of: (a) measuring the open-circuit voltage of a battery (54) to be charged to determine the battery type; (b) automatically supplying a first predetermined charging current within a first predetermined charging voltage limit if the battery (54) is a first type; and (c) automatically supplying a second predetermined charging current within a second predetermined voltage limit if the battery (54) is a second type.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 5, characterized by the step of electrically connecting to the micro-processor (30) the signals within the one said removable memory (32) related to the charging characteristics of the type of the connected battery (54).
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
53 words
A battery charge circuit, characterized by a micro-processor (30) which is responsive to the phase of a current being supplied to a battery (54) being charged to provide a desired proportion of the current to said battery (54) and which varies the desired proportion relative to the charged state of the battery (54).
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
53 words
A battery charge circuit, characterized by a micro-processor (30) which is responsive to the phase of a current being supplied to a battery (54) being charged to provide a desired proportion of the current to said battery (54) and which varies the desired proportion relative to the charged state of the battery (54).
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
22 words
The circuit of claim 21, characterized in that the micro-processor (30) is interrupted by signals related to the phase of the current.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
28 words
The circuit of claim 21 or 22, characterized in that the micro-processor (30) varies the desired proportion with reference to the voltage and current of the charging current.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
Maintenance schedule is calculated for granted US utility patents.